Seat belts, it's the law, but should it be???

Originally posted by Scarpa
If you dont wear a seatbelf your to stupid to live.

yes, after reading everyone's points of views, My thoughts are changing towards seatbelts, although the ticket of $250 is still too high i think

I guess the penalty has to be tough, otherwise nobody would obey the law. Even with the penalty there are still those who don't buckle up.

True, just seems a bit steep for me, I think people shld have that choice.

Personally I think many penalties are way too low. Plus, if it's the law, obey it, and you won't pay.

(I really think the littering penalties should soar 😛 )

I believe that it should be illegal not to buckle up. The seat belt is not only there to protect your childrens' lives but your lives as well. If you get into a terrible accident that seat belt could save your life.

Yes, it should. It's not like it's that hard to put the seatbelt on anyways, if you don't, you're just a lazy idiot.

No, it shouldn't.

It is a lot like the "riding a bike and wearing a helmet" law. It should be manditory until a certain age. I am personally more comfortable in a car without a seatbelt on. If a person wants to take the risk of dying, let them. It is their own stupid fault.

My father was in an accident around 6 or so years ago, and if he WAS wearing his seatbelt, he would have died. I know seatbelts save more lives then they end, but even so. It should be optional, just like wearing a helmet whilst riding a bike is.

I think that seat belts should be a personal thing, it's a fact that just as many people die from wearing seat belts. It also depends on the person whether they wear one or not. Personally I don't, I would never let a child (under 16) or baby go without one.

Nobody could convince me that they'd still be alive today if they hadn't been wearing a seatbelt....

Like I say, in my country its illegal not to wear a seat belt.... hardly anyone "forgets" to put it on... unless you are grossly overweight it is not uncomfortable... it may be a bit strange at first, but after a very short time you don'yt even notice it.... when I was a child, most cars in this country didn't even have seatbelts, but my parents always paid the extra for them... and my life has been saved on at least two occasions by the belt... also remember, its not just your life you're protecting... I've already mentioned my friend, whose neck was broken by the driver of another vehicle coming throufgh her windscreen... but if you are in the back of a car, you can kill the person in front of you as you fly forwards... they become a sort of human airbag, and save your life... which is also what happens if you ride with a child on your knee in a car...

Seat belts are safe.....wear them while driving. 👆

theres one simple reason it should not be a law. It is unconstitutional to make a law about wearing a seat belt. This is because it does not harm anyone but yourself by not wearing it.. its the same with wearing a helmet on a motorcycle. According to the constitution they can not make a law requiring things like this (thats why some states do not require either)

i always wear my seatbelt and im a licensed motorcyclist and i always wear a helmet.. but this is my choice and it should be everyones choice a law forcing it while it has good intention is not right and it sets a bad precident which can allow further laws that take away more rights

Thank you thank you forumcrew!!! I was waiting for someone to say that. I've been in lots of topics in KMC and lots say on diff topics that WE shld have the CHOICE (like abortion for instance), but you come to this topic and they say it shld be the law, therefore taking your rights away, right? hmmmmmmmmmm
I do feel that kids shld always be buckled up, but i also feel that parents shld have the choice to buckle up or not to buckle. I fully see the reasons why a person shld buckle up, I just feel that WE shld have that choice.

Originally posted by forumcrew
theres one simple reason it should not be a law. It is unconstitutional to make a law about wearing a seat belt. This is because it does not harm anyone but yourself by not wearing it.. its the same with wearing a helmet on a motorcycle. According to the constitution they can not make a law requiring things like this (thats why some states do not require either)

where what?

im assuming you mean what state?

I know a lot of places have started the seat belt thing recently
And there is no helmet law in Utah and stupidly enough tons of people dont wear helmets there..

like i said i think its a good idea to wear a helmet and your seat belt but it is simply unconstitutional to force people to do so thats the bottom line

No the constitutional thingy that you mentioned. I'd like to see it.

it doesnt say in the constituion that they can not make a seat belt law..it is not specific like that.. although there is one thing i didnt think of. Most roads (atleast major highways) are government owend so they can require whatever they want including a seatbelt. this is similar to how a fancy restaurant could require a certain dress code.. so on government owned roads they can require seat belts.. suppose i just totaly over looked that fact before.. but still techniclly they shouldnt be ale to require it if you are not on a goverment road

I always wear it apart from when I'm in a taxi

JM said
Well it is to keep people safe but I once heard a story about a mother who was driving and she got pulled over and actly got arrested for not wearing a seat belt.

You cannot be arrested just for not wearing a seat belt. Did she have outstanding warrants? Was she drunk? What were the extenuating circumstances regarding this arrest. "I once heard a story" is not enough proof that this is remotely true.

JM said
It did happen guys this storly is not fake,But it is your choice to belive it or not.JM

No it is your responsibility to take responsibility for what you have said and prove that it is true. Stating an opinion is one thing, but if you claim something is fact, back it up.

Fiery Eyes said
In a County in Oklahoma, a guy that my husbands works with, was pulled over fined $250 for NO seat belt and taken to jail for 30 days, for NO seat belt, that is the law in that county

Once again, what were the extenuating circumstances and of which county are you talking about? I would love to check their laws on seat belts.

forumcrew said
theres one simple reason it should not be a law. It is unconstitutional to make a law about wearing a seat belt. This is because it does not harm anyone but yourself by not wearing it.

Although I am Canadian, I'm pretty sure that seat belt laws have nothing to do with the United States' constitution. The founding father's were not reckless, and oh yeah, they had no concept of seat belts or automobiles. And yes, people are often harmed and killed by those who are not wearing seat belts and in an accident. A human body becomes a pretty deadly projectile when not belted in during an accident and if you do any research whatsoever you will see many instances where that has occurred, so your point is moot.

As it has been said before, seat belt laws have been enacted for three reasons:

1. For your own safety

2. For the safety of others (that whole human projectile thing)

3. And mostly to keep insurance costs from going completely insane!